Why did you choose beauty as a career? I always wanted to be a hairdresser and own my own salon. I started with a $1,500 loan from my uncle and a dream.

Milestones: Opening my present location; becoming the first female president on Intercoiffure America/Canada, being named Business Women of the Year by Mayor Bloomberg.

Your mentors: My first was Jon Gunter, who had the first color-only salon in New York and created the first club for hair colorists. Vidal Sassoon and Paul Mitchell were still teaching when I was building my business. Today, I am blessed to have the friends I meet through Intercoiffure who really inspire me.

Are there benefits to being a woman in beauty? There is great opportunity for both men and women. Hairdressers are some of the most creative, loving people on the planet.

Are there challenges for women in beauty? I believe if you are committed to your work and keep striving to be better, everyone sees that. I always embrace a challenge, anyway.

Sacrifice and lesson: I still work a lot of hours at the salon, but I try more to balance my time differently. Life is short.